View source for Iris West

{{Short description|DC Comics character}}
{{About||the television character|Iris West-Allen (Arrowverse)}}
{{Infobox comics character<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image          = Iris West.png
| caption        = Iris West-Allen in ''The Flash'' vol.5 #70 (May 2019).<br>Art by [[Howard Porter (artist)|Howard Porter]].
| character_name = Iris West-Allen 
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #4 (October 1956)
| creators       = [[Robert Kanigher]]<br>[[Carmine Infantino]]
| alter_ego      = 
| full_name      = Iris Ann West-Allen
| species        = [[Metahuman]]{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
| alliances      = [[Galaxy Broadcasting System]]<br>Central City Picture News
| aliases        = <!-- optional: actual identities the character uses, not nicknames -->
| supports       = [[Flash (Barry Allen)|The Flash]]
| noimage        = yes
| powers         = }}
'''Iris West-Allen''' is a fictional character, a [[supporting character]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. She has been the main love interest and later wife of [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Barry Allen]], the [[alter ego]] of the Silver Age version of the superhero [[Flash (comics)|The Flash]], and the aunt and grandmother, respectively, of the Modern Age variations of the characters [[Wally West]] and [[Bart Allen]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=326}}</ref>

On television, she has appeared in various adaptations in other media; the character has been portrayed by [[Paula Marshall]] in the [[The Flash (1990 TV series)|1990 CBS television series]] and by [[Candice Patton]] in the [[The Flash (2014 TV series)|2014 The CW television series]] along with appearances in other [[Arrowverse]] shows. In the [[DC Extended Universe]] feature films, she was portrayed by [[Kiersey Clemons]] in ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League]]'' (2021) and ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' (2023).

==Publication history==
Created by [[Robert Kanigher]] and [[Carmine Infantino]],<ref name="dc-ency">{{Citation|last = Greenberger|first = Robert|contribution = Iris Allen|editor-last = Dougall|editor-first = Alastair|title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia|pages = 10|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|place = London|year = 2008|isbn = 978-0-7566-4119-1}}</ref> the character made her first appearance in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #4 (October 1956).

==Fictional character biography==
'''Iris West''' works as a reporter for ''Picture News'', based in [[Central City (DC Comics)|Central City]], and is the fiancée of [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Barry Allen]], who is secretly the Flash. Prior to Barry becoming the Flash, Iris often chides Barry for his frequently being late due to his repeatedly being lost in thought at work as a forensic scientist, a tendency which continues even after he becomes a high-speed superhero. When Iris and Barry marry, Iris learns that, not only is Barry the city's heroic speedster, but her nephew, [[Wally West]], is [[Kid Flash]]. She is not told by Barry, but discovers her husband's secret on their wedding night when Barry talks in his sleep.<ref>{{cite comic|title=The Flash|date=November 1966|volume=|issue=#165}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965–1969 |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490557 |page=120}}</ref> She reveals this to him on their first wedding anniversary.<ref>Flash#174</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=113}}</ref> During this time, the couple discovers that Iris was born in the 30th century.

After years as a prominent presence in the Flash's life and in Central City, She was killed by [[Professor Zoom]] during a costume party. Zoom vibrated his hand into Iris’s head, solidifying it just enough to kill her.<ref>''The Flash'' #275 (July 1979), ''The Flash'' #283 (March 1980), ''The Flash'' #323 (July 1983).</ref><ref name="dc-flash">{{Citation|last = Jimenez|first = Phil|author-link = Phil Jimenez|contribution = The Flash|editor-last = Dougall|editor-first = Alastair|title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia|pages = 124–127|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|place = New York|year = 2008|isbn = 978-0-7566-4119-1|oclc = 213309017}}</ref> Years later, Barry killed Zoom while trying to prevent him from murdering his new fiancée, Fiona Webb.<ref>''The Flash'' #324 (August 1983).</ref> However, Iris did not stay dead for long as Iris' biological parents, the Russells (with the help of a future Flash, John Fox), sent then-infant Iris to the past, where she was adopted by Ira West, her "death" causing a paradox that was resolved after the Russells placed her consciousness into a new body. Barry is reunited with Iris in her time,<ref>''The Flash'' #350 (October 1985)</ref> however, the couple knows that if Barry returns to the past, he will die in the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''.<ref>As depicted in ''Crisis in Infinite Earths'' #8 (November 1985)</ref> They are able to spend a month together in the 30th century, until Barry is kidnapped by the [[Anti-Monitor]] and returns to 1985.

During their time in the future, they conceive the Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn. Don marries the descendant of Professor Zoom, Meloni Thawne, hoping to end the feud between the two families. They have a son, [[Bart Allen|Bart]], whose powers manifest at an early age and cause him to age at an accelerated rate. Dawn marries Jeven Ognats of Aarok and has a daughter, Jenni. Her powers eventually manifest when she witnesses her father being tortured, and she becomes [[XS (comics)|XS]] of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]. Don and Dawn die saving 30th century [[Earth]] from an invasion by the [[Dominators (DC Comics)|Dominators]].<ref>''Legion of Super-Heroes'' (vol. 4) #17 (April 1991)</ref>

Iris takes Bart to the past to enlist the aid of her nephew (by then, Wally had taken the mantle of the Flash) in saving her grandson. After Bart's accelerated aging slows down, he takes the name of Impulse. Iris disappears for a while, feeling out of place in the 20th century. She contacted [[Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers)|Johnny Quick]] at a country diner and tried to warn him of his upcoming battle with [[Savitar (comics)|Savitar]], but he did not heed her. Afraid to change the future by giving vital information about the present, Iris refused to go into the details of how Savitar could be defeated, but finally [[Linda Park (comics)|Linda Park]] and [[Jenni Ognats]] convinced her to tell them the key to Savitar's defeat, which was to give him what he wanted: to be one with the [[Speed Force]].<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #111 (March 1996)</ref>

Iris again disappeared. This time she is kidnapped by Polaris and [[Abra Kadabra (comics)|Abra Kadabra]] and forced to write everything she knew about the future so that they could have a "roadmap into tomorrow" for their plan of world conquest.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #115 (July 1996)</ref>

After this incident, Iris went someplace where no one would find her so that she could concentrate on writing the book ''The Life Story of the Flash'', which was published by Keystone Press in 1997.<ref>{{Citation|last = Waid|first = Mark|author-link = Mark Waid|title = The Life Story of the Flash, by Iris West|pages = 96|publisher = [[DC Comics]]|year = 1997|isbn = 978-1563893896}}</ref>

Some time later, Iris returns to adopt the child of Wally's ex-girlfriend, officer Julie Jackman, upon her death, having befriended the girl during her time in the present. While in the future, Iris learnt that the child, Josh Jackman, was destined to become a great hero and was believed to be Wally's illegitimate child; however, it turns out that in reality, the child is Mark Mardon's, who had a one-night-stand with Julie after Wally dumped her. Realizing that what was told in the future was wrong, Iris decided to come out of hiding and reconnect with her grandson and nephew.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #180</ref>

===One Year Later===
{{main|One Year Later}}
A mysterious hooded figure enlists the help of Zoom<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #10</ref> to attack Bart while he confronts [[Captain Cold]], and later reveals herself as Iris. Her plan is to somehow put her grandson, who, by then, had taken up the Flash mantle, out of commission for a week to protect him from a future she is determined to change; however, her plan is corrupted by Bart's clone "brother" [[Inertia (DC Comics)|Inertia]] and a weakened Bart is beaten to death by the [[Rogues (comics)|Rogues]].<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #13</ref>

In ''[[Final Crisis: Rogues' Revenge]]'' #1, Iris has since moved to her old home in Central City where she is seen tearfully looking over photographs of her late husband, when a disembodied voice calls her name: her late husband, Barry Allen.<ref>''DC Universe'' #0 (June 2008)</ref> Iris spends some time as part of a [[Darkseid]]-resistance cell operating out of the [[Hall of Justice (comics)|Hall of Justice]] alongside [[Black Lightning]], [[Green Arrow]], the Ray, [[Linda Park (comics)|Linda Park]] and her two children.<ref>''Final Crisis'' #2 (August 2008)</ref> Soon after, Iris is corrupted by the [[Anti-Life Equation]] but Barry breaks its hold over her by kissing her and enveloping her in the [[Speed Force]]. Iris starts crying at the sight of Barry, who reassures her everything will be okay.<ref>''Final Crisis'' #4 (November 2008)</ref>

After [[The Flash: Rebirth|the return of her husband]], Iris is shown fully returning to her life alongside the rest of the Flash family. Still overjoyed by the return of Barry, she does not get much time to spend with him, as Barry is still mentally scarred from his deathly ordeal and staunchly refuses to stop and enjoy even a moment of "normal" life.<ref>''The Flash: Rebirth'' #1 (April 2009)</ref> She is also shown to be much younger than she previously had appeared (she was depicted as a middle-age woman after the events of ''Crisis''), about the same age as when Barry first met her. It is later implied by the resurrected Professor Zoom that Iris's rejuvenation is a side effect of close contact to her husband's Speed Force since ''Final Crisis''. She resumes her career as a crime reporter at Central City.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 3) #1 (April 2010)</ref>

===The New 52===
In September 2011, [[The New 52]] rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, Iris is not married to Barry, but they still know each other because of their respective occupations. It is hinted that Iris has a romantic attraction to Barry.<ref>''The Flash'' #1</ref> She is accidentally trapped in the Speed Force by [[Top (comics)|Turbine]], but is freed by Barry's alter-ego.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 4) #7</ref> Later issues confirm that she is in love with Barry. Barry does not yet reciprocate Iris' affections, though he hints at it when he is forced to take on the role of the [[Black Racer (DC Comics)|Black Racer]] and goes to Iris for help.<ref>''Justice League: Darkseid War – The Flash'' #1</ref>

===DC Rebirth===
During the [[DC Rebirth]] events, when Iris and [[Wally West II]] were attacked by Eobard Thawne, Iris had glimpses of her pre-''Flashpoint'' life with Barry, including them as husband and wife and had a family in the other timeline, and learning that he is the Flash in the process. Knowing that Barry is indirectly responsible for the alteration of their lives through time-travel and kept it a secret from her, Iris now distrusts Barry. She also kills Thawne after he lost his powers in retaliation of him hurting Wally II after Barry rescued them,<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 5) #24 (August 2017)</ref> though Thawne later again resurrected from his death. She later appears at the cemetery where Barry asks her for her forgiveness for lying to her. She forgives him, because she is curious about the Flash. He takes her to the Watchtower. She is interested in other secrets Barry is keeping from her.

Since the Flash Family defeated Grodd and stop the Negative Speed Force from spreading Central City, both she and Barry have rekindled their romances with each other. She is subsequently re-introduced to the pre-''Flashpoint'' Wally West, swiftly regaining her memories of him when she sees him, simultaneously inspiring Wally's own memories of those he has forgotten.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 5) #45</ref> She is later brought to trial in the 25th century for Eobard Thawne's murder. She and Barry later have Wally to be taken care of in the rehabilitation center called the Sanctuary, in which she is so happy about Wally being a better hero today. During her romance with Barry, she begins to remember their marriage, and beginning to put pieces together about the new forces that appear in Central City.<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 5) #52</ref>

==Other versions==

===''The New Frontier''===
In [[DC: The New Frontier|The New Frontier]] universe, Iris West is a reporter and engaged to crime forensic Barry Allen. During the Cold War and the rise of McCarthyism, Iris wrote her article "Washington Declares War On Mystery Men" on the current events following the death of Hourman and the social bias against masked vigilantes. In 1957, Iris was interviewing [[Wildcat (Ted Grant)|Ted Grant]] in Las Vegas. While on a phone call with Barry Allen, Captain Cold appeared and froze Iris's hand that was on the phone. Barry heard everything that happened and traveled to Las Vegas as The Flash. In the process he freed an unconscious Iris and stopped Captain Cold. A year later in 1958, after Barry had retired from crime fighting and the subsequent appearance of the Centre, Iris had known for some time that her husband was the Flash and did not reveal this until she convinced him to become a hero once again.

===Amalgam Comics===
In the [[Amalgam Comics|Amalgam]] universe, Iris was combined with Marvel's [[Roxanne Simpson]] to form Iris Simpson. When Iris became married to Blaze Allen, her life and soul were taken by the [[Nightmare (Marvel Comics)|Night]] [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]], which threw Blaze into a depression until he bonded with the demon [[Etrigan the Demon|Etrigan]] to become Speed Demon. Her soul was eventually freed by Blaze and her nephew Wally, who became the third Speed Demon.<ref>''Speed Demon'' #1 (1996)</ref>

===''Flashpoint''===
In the ''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'' miniseries (an event prior to the New 52 relaunch, when an alternate timeline was created by the [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Flash]]<ref>''Flashpoint'' #5 (August 2011)</ref>), Iris West is unmarried and in a relationship with someone called "John" at the ''Central City Citizen'', where she works.<ref>''Flashpoint'' #1 (June 2011)</ref> Later Iris is seen with her nephew and cameraman, [[Wally West]], covering a battle between [[Captain Cold|Citizen Cold]] and [[Mister Freeze]].<ref>''Flashpoint: Citizen Cold'' #1 (June 2011)</ref> Iris was invited to dinner by Citizen Cold. When she asks him for an interview, he is interrupted by his emergency calls. Later, Citizen Cold is injured during his battle with the [[Rogues (comics)|Rogues]] and while collapsing in his car, confronts Iris.<ref>''Flashpoint: Citizen Cold'' #2 (July 2011)</ref> Iris then brings him to her home. After he recovers, he gives her a key to his penthouse, and an offer to join him when he leaves Central City. When Citizen Cold returns home, Iris learns from [[Pied Piper (comics)|Pied Piper]], that Citizen Cold is a criminal and murdered her nephew. Citizen Cold attacks Pied Piper, but Iris uses one of his own weapons to freeze him in a block of ice, just as he had Wally.<ref>''Flashpoint: Citizen Cold'' #3 (August 2011)</ref> Afterwards, Iris visits her nephew's grave along with her husband John.<ref>''Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost'' #3 (August 2011)</ref>

===''Injustice: Gods Among Us''===
In the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' prequel series, Barry met with Iris sometime after Superman killed the Joker where she expressed her disapproval of Superman's actions. She's convinced that Flash would not do the same if he was in Superman's scenario (where Iris would be murdered instead of Lois), and tells Barry to not condone Superman's actions and to promise her that he will stand up to Superman if he goes down the wrong path. Five years later, Barry goes to see Iris after Superman lashes out at him for letting Batman get away, where it's shown that they've broken up as Iris is upset with Barry for breaking his promise and supporting Superman. Later, Flash sees Iris being arrested by Girder and King Shark for treason against the Regime from joining a Central City Insurgent group.<ref>''Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five'' #27 (June 2016)</ref> Flash tries to defend them from the two villains and ends up killing King Shark in the process. Iris is disgusted by Barry's actions and offers to arrest herself just to not deal with Barry. Barry talks with her, and she tells him that her faith in him was shattered five years ago when she was undercover in Australia where she witnessed Superman and Wonder Woman brutally beat and cripple a rebellious hero named Galaxor while Flash did nothing to help the young man (who committed suicide shortly afterwards though that later turns out to be a myth). Iris ultimately rejects Barry and tells him that he's not the man she thought he was. Iris and the rest of her group afterwards are arrested by Flash and Girder, and was set to stand trial for her actions.<ref>''Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five'' #28 (June 2016)</ref>

==In other media==

===Television===
* Iris West appears in ''[[The Flash (1990 TV series)|The Flash]]'' (1990)'','' portrayed by [[Paula Marshall]]. This version is a computer graphic artist.
* Iris West appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Nicole Dubuc]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Iris West Voices (Flash) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Flash/Iris-West/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is a reporter for the Galaxy Broadcasting System (GBS).
* [[Iris West-Allen (Arrowverse)|Iris West]] appears in series set in the [[Arrowverse]], portrayed by [[Candice Patton]]. This version is African-American, a trait which other portrayals of the character would adopt. Her Earth-2 counterpart, who is a detective, appears as well. Introduced in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' (2014), Iris makes subsequent appearances in the crossovers "[[Crisis on Earth-X]]" and "[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=November 10, 2017 |title=''Crisis on Earth-X'' Arrowverse Crossover Description Released |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/crisis-on-earth-x-arrowverse-crossover-description-released/ |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Film===
* Iris West appears in ''[[Justice League: The New Frontier]]'', voiced by [[Vicki Lewis]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is aware of Barry Allen's secret identity, having deduced it herself.
* Iris West appears in ''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]'', voiced by [[Jennifer Hale]].<ref name="btva" /> In the alternate Flashpoint timeline, she is uninvolved with Barry Allen, and married and had a child with someone else.
* Iris West appears in films set in the [[Tomorrowverse]], voiced by Ashleigh LaThrop.<ref name="btva" />
** Introduced in ''[[Justice Society: World War II]]'', this version is African-American and Barry Allen's girlfriend who he proposes to by the end of the film.
** West appears in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=December 5, 2023 |title=''Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One'' Arrives January 2024, Press Details |url=https://dcanimated.com/2023/12/justice-league-crisis-on-infinite-earths-part-one-arrives-january-2024/ |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=The World's Finest |language=en-US}}</ref>''
* [[Zoe Kazan]] was going to portray Iris West in ''[[Justice League: Mortal]]'' prior to its cancellation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/george-miller-justice-league-never-happen-history-explained/|title=Why George Miller's Justice League Never Happened|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=6 May 2022|language=en|first=Lisa|last=Laman}}</ref>

====DC Extended Universe====
* [[Kiersey Clemons]] was cast as Iris West in ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'', though her scenes were cut. Her scenes were later restored in the [[director's cut]] ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League]]'', in which [[Barry Allen (Arrowverse)|Barry Allen]] saves her from a traffic accident.<ref>{{cite web |title=Justin Krol |url=https://twitter.com/krolljvar/status/793882510602039296 |website=[[Twitter]]}}</ref>
* Clemons reprises her role in ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' (2023), which is a part of the [[DC Extended Universe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/the-flash-movie-kiersey-clemons-iris-west-1201822282/|title='The Flash' Movie:Kiersey Clemons to Star as Iris West|publisher=[[Variety.com|Variety]]|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=July 25, 2016}}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===
Iris Allen is featured in the Justice League novel ''Flash: Stop Motion'' written by Mark Shultz.<ref>The Flash: Stop Motion by Mark Schultz {{ISBN|0-7434-1713-5}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Flash}}
{{Justice League characters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Iris}}
[[Category:Characters created by Carmine Infantino]]
[[Category:Characters created by Joe Kubert]]
[[Category:Characters created by Robert Kanigher]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1956]]
[[Category:DC Comics female characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics metahumans]]
[[Category:Fictional photographers]]
[[Category:Fictional reporters and correspondents]]
[[Category:Fictional writers]]
[[Category:Flash (comics) characters]]